At Taste of Home, we believe home cooks are the best cooks, and our Community Cooks are simply the best of the best. The members of this vibrant community have created many of the inspired recipes at the heart of Taste of Home, treasured by cooks across the globe.
These talented home cooks are always whipping up fresh, exciting flavors, sharing their best cooking tips, and posting pictures and videos of their latest kitchen triumphs. Get to know Community Cooks from across the U.S. and Canada!
Community Cooks’ Newest Recipes
These brand-new dishes are fresh from Community Cooks’ kitchens. Which one will you try first?
Make the recipes Community Cooks are raving about right now.
Community Cook of the Month
Julie Herrera-Lemler from Rochester, Minnesota
Julie, originally from San Jose, California, has called Rochester, Minnesota home for the last 25 years. She has a deep appreciation for all things Midwest: the snow, the fall colors, hunting, fishing, you name it! Her journey into the world of culinary arts began when she moved to Minnesota, and she fell in love with the art of cooking and baking.
With unwavering support from her husband and sons, Julie became a Taste of Home Community Cook several years ago. She was captivated by the talents of fellow cooks in the community, and that inspired her to take the leap into her first Taste of Home contest—a Baking Contest. To her astonishment, Julie won the Grand Prize for her Key Lime Pie Cupcakes.
Little did she know that the Key Lime Pie Cupcakes would become her top-selling creation when she opened her baking business, aptly named You Betcha Cupcake! Julie chose this name as a nod to her deep-rooted love for the Midwest.
Taste of Home: How long have you been a fan of Taste of Home?
Julie Herrera-Lemler: I have been a Taste of Home super-fan for more than 20 years! I am so lucky to be a part of this community. All the community cooks are extremely supportive.
TOH: When did you learn to cook?
JHL: I watched a lot of Martha Stewart back when I started my cooking and baking journey. I even visited her show when she had a studio audience in New York. What an adventure! I also picked up skills along the way from many Food Network stars.
TOH: Do you have a favorite recipe from Taste of Home?
JHL: One of my go-to recipes is for Homemade Biscuits—nothing better than a made-from-scratch-biscuit! I also enjoy making compound butters. My two favorites are Easy Strawberry Butter, which was published in 2016, and Garlic Parmesan Butter, which is great on steak, corn on the cob, popcorn, etc.
TOH: What types of recipes are you known for?
JHL: My cupcakes. I had a baking business for about eight years, but most recently I have been teaching Mexican cooking classes.
TOH: Who do you love to cook for most?
JHL: I enjoy cooking for my husband and sons. However, I’ve been known to feed co-workers on occasion.
TOH: What’s the next cooking skill you want to master?Â
JHL: I would love to master a good sourdough loaf. The smell of sourdough brings back many memories of growing up near the sourdough capital of the world: San Francisco.
TOH: What’s your favorite kitchen hack that you now live by?
JHL: When cleaning shrimp, set aside the shells. Boil the shells in butter to create a very savory butter. Great for dipping bread into or incorporating into pasta.
TOH: What is something you no longer buy from the store because you know you can make it better at home?
JHL: There are several answers to that question. They all require certain techniques and patience. First: A pie crust. I love a good-flaky crust. Second: Whipped cream. They are quick to make but do require a bit of work in order for it to come out right. My favorite is Chocolate Whipped Cream. Third: Seasonings. Lemon herb season that includes drying lemon pulp, zest, etc. And my most recent seasoning is BBQ Chip Dust—sounds easy but is tricky to get the taste right. Four: Powdered fruits. Dehydrated fruits make the best add-ins to any drink, cake batter, ice cream topping, butter, etc.
See Some of Julie’s Best Recipes!
Our Whole Team
Community Cooks come from neighborhoods across the U.S. and Canada. Find one in your neck of the woods.
Lisa Allen, Joppa, Alabama
Alaska
Cindi DeClue, Anchorage, Alaska
Arizona
Jessica Burke, Chandler, Arizona
Cathy Orban, Chandler, Arizona
Robert J. Johnson, Chino Valley, Arizona
Cori Cooper, Flagstaff, Arizona
Paul Williams, Fort Mohave, Arizona
Lee Mason, Gilbert, Arizona
Belqui Ortiz-Millili, Mesa, Arizona
Karen Keefe, Phoenix, Arizona
Arkansas
Debbie Glasscock, Conway, Arkansas
California
Helen Nelander, Boulder Creek, California
Marina Castle-Kelley, Canyon Country, California
Kallee Krong-Mccreery, Escondido, California
Rosie Godycki, Los Angeles, California
Dorothy Kern, Rocklin, California
Colorado
Ann Bush, Colorado City, Colorado
Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
Rebecca Wilson, Longmont, Colorado
Connecticut
Anna Gass, New Canaan, Connecticut
Lynn Faria, Southington, Connecticut
Janet Turner, Southington, Connecticut
Diane Morrisey, Trumbull, Connecticut
Ruth Hartunian-Alumbaugh, Willimantic, Connecticut
Florida
Janie Ganyard, Jacksonville, Florida
Kathleen Criddle, Lake Worth, Florida
Heather Chambers, Largo, Florida
Pam Brooks, Micco, Florida
Nancy Murphy, Mount Dora, Florida
Cyndy Gerken, Naples, Florida
Kailey Thompson, Palm Bay, Florida
Shawn Barto, Palmetto, Florida
Jane Whittaker, Pensacola, Florida
Norlene Trice, Weeki Wachee, Florida
Danielle Lee, West Palm Beach, Florida
Georgia
Lynne German, Buford, Georgia
Rosey Sumrall, Kennesaw, Georgia
Hawaii
Rachel Garcia, Honolulu, Hawaii
Idaho
Glenna Tooman, Boise, Idaho
Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Illinois
April Lee Wiencek, Chicago, Illinois
Bill Roberts, Geneva, Illinois
Dixie Terry, Goreville, Illinois
Deborah L. Staley, Mount Vernon, Illinois
Erin Raatjes, New Lenox, Illinois
Renee Page, Rochelle, Illinois
Michele Tungett, Rochester, Illinois
Brigette Schroeder, Yorkville, Illinois
Indiana
Kizmet Byrd, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Rena McCalment, Sharpsville, Indiana
Kathy Renee, Terre Haute, Indiana
Iowa
Anna Miller, Churdan, Iowa
Lonnie Hartstack, Clarinda, Iowa
Jennifer Stowell, Deep River, Iowa
Stephanie Gates, Waterloo, Iowa
Kansas
Gina Dolieslager, Conway Springs, Kansas
Allison Ochoa, Hays, Kansas
Erin Wright, Wallace, Kansas
Courtney Stultz, Weir, KansasKentucky
Donna Gribbins, Shelbyville, Kentucky
Louisiana
Laura Herbage, Covington, Louisiana
Amy Gattuso, Denham Springs, Louisiana
Maryland
Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
Nikki Haddad, Germantown, Maryland
Massachusetts
Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts
Molly Winsten, Medford, Massachusetts
Lindsey Centrella, Uxbridge, Massachusetts
Michigan
Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan
Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
Lorraine Hickman, Lansing, Michigan
Sue Evans, Marquette, Michigan
Sue Falk, Sterling Heights, Michigan
Rebecca Jennex, Warren, Michigan
Minnesota
Pauline Custer, Duluth, Minnesota
Joyce Moynihan, Lakeville, Minnesota
Julie Herrera-Lemler, Rochester, Minnesota
Missouri
Debbie Johnson, Centertown, Missouri
Montana
Amanda Monroe, Manhattan, Montana
Nebraska
Tami Kuehl, Loup City, Nebraska
New Hampshire
Jolene Martinelli, Fremont, New Hampshire
Pattie Prescott, Manchester, New Hampshire
Margaret Drye, Plainfield, New Hampshire
Grace Vallo, Salem, New Hampshire
Linda Harrington, Windham, New Hampshire
New Jersey
Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey
Janie Zirbser, Mullica Hill, New Jersey
Kim Spaccarotella, South Plainfield, New Jersey
New York
Joey Parker, Astoria, New York
Rose Rodwell, Bergen, New York
Aleni Salcedo, East Elmhurst, New York
Luanne Asta, Hampton Bays, New York
Holly Balzer-Harz, Malone, New York
Marisel Salazar, New York, New York
Kimberly Ludvick, Newburgh, New York
Rita Sumers, Niagara Falls, New York
Melissa Obernesser, Oriskany, New York
Kristine Chayes, Smithtown, New York
Susan Seymour, Valatie, New York
Andrea Rivera, Westbury, New York
North Carolina
Stacey White, Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina
Stacy Corday, Waxhaw, North Carolina
North Dakota
Amy Lents, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Diane Randle, Maddock, North Dakota
Ohio
Christina Addison, Blanchester, Ohio
Gina Fensler, Cincinnati, Ohio
Kimberly Wallace, Dennison, Ohio
Angela Robinson, Findlay, Ohio
Kristyne McDougle Walter, Lorain, Ohio
Theresa Ravencraft, Marysville, Ohio
Diane Shipley, Mentor, Ohio
Becky Carver, Cleveland, Ohio
Michele Salazar, Plain City, Ohio
Shannon Copley, Upper Arlington, Ohio
Oklahoma
Nancy Johnson, Laverne, Oklahoma
Shawna Welsh-Garrison, Owasso, Oklahoma
Oregon
Mary Anne Thygesen, Portland, Oregon
Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Pennsylvania
Diann Hammel, Emmaus, Pennsylvania
Dawn Lowenstein, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
Tina Mirilovich, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Teena Petrus, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Susan Bickta, Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania
Patty Crouse, Warren, Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Renee Murby, Johnston, Rhode Island
Stephanie St. Pierre Cumberland, Rhode Island
South Dakota
Joan Antonen, Arlington, South Dakota
Karen Stucky, Freeman, South Dakota
Tennessee
Margaret McNeil, Germantown, Tennessee
Kim Powell, Knoxville, Tennessee
Dianna Smith, Newport, Tennessee
Texas
Darla Andrews, Boerne, Texas
Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
Allison Ulrich, Frisco, Texas
Corinna Nguyen, Hutto, Texas
Marietta Slater, Justin, Texas
Carmen Edwards, Midland, Texas
Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Denise Browning, San Antonio, Texas
Sherri Jerzyk, Somerville, Texas
Leah Hebert, Tomball, Texas
Utah
Courtney Rich, Highland, Utah
Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Gaylene Anderson, Sandy, Utah
Vermont
Nancy Mock, Colchester, Vermont
Hannah Lenehan-Emmons, Williston, Vermont
Virginia
Soniya Saluja, Chantilly, Virginia
Rachel Lewis, Danville, Virginia
Rebecca Yankovich, Springfield, Virginia
Kelly Shoemaker, Stafford, Virginia
Washington
Tara Huntley, Colfax, Washington
Ann Marie Eberhart, Gig Harbor, Washington
West Virginia
Lori Daniels, Beverly, West Virginia
Lorri Burns, Keyser, West Virginia
Wisconsin
Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Heather Karow, Burnett, Wisconsin
Darlis Wilfer, West Bend, Wisconsin
Alberta
Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta
Lori Stefanishion, Drumheller, Alberta
Ontario
J. Fleming, Almonte, Ontario
Susan Kieboam, Amherstburg, Ontario
Janet Tigchelaar, Ancaster, Ontario
Wendy Masters, East Garafraxa, Ontario
Raymonde Bourgeois, Swastika, Ontario
Pat Roberts, Thornton, Ontario
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